Cord-fastening device



' T. L. RICHARDSON CORD FASTENING DEVI CE Filed April 23, 1924 2Sheets-Sheet 1 1". Z? Richardson Quorum I 1,515,813 T. L. RICHARDSONCORD FASTENING DEVICE Filed April 23 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 42 44 Fri 7gwumatoz 1". Lfiichardson l atented Nov. 18, i924.

barren srarns THORNTON L. RICHARDSON, 9F WASHING-TON, DISTRICT OFCOLUMBIA.

CORD-FASTENING DEVICE.

(FILED UNDER THE ACT or MARCH. 3, was, 22 srar. n, 625.

T (at 411720712 21! may concern:

Be it known that I, THORNTON L. RICHARD- soN, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Washington, District of Columbia, have inventedcertain new and useful Improven'ients in Cord-Fastening Devices, ofwhich the following is a specification.

The invention described herein may be used by the Government of theUnited States or any of its officers or employees, or by any otherperson of the United States in the prosecution of work for the Government without the payment of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to improvements in cord fastening devices.

The present invention is particularly adapted to be employed forsecuring cords used in drawing together the open end of a mail bag orthe like.

Among the objects of the invention is to provide a device of the abovecharacter wiich is durable and inexpensive to manufacture; which willoperate to si1nultane ously secure a. plurality of cords, and which willnot injure the cords secured there-by.

It is also an object of the invention that the device permit a lock ofconventional construction, such as a padlock or'the like, to be employedin connection therewith to prevent releasing of the cords held by thefastener and thereby eliminate any possibility of an unauthorized personopening the bag with which the cords are associated.

It is further within the scope of the objects of the invention thatsubstantially all the parts constituting the fastening device he of suchconstruction that the same may be stamped, from sheet metal and thusreducing the cost of manufacturing the device to a minimum.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanyingdrawings, in which Figure l is a top plan view of the device showing thesame applied, the cords being shown in dotted lines;

Figures-2 and 3 are vertical longitudinal sectional views of the sameshowing the device with its actuating lever in released position andapplied position, respectively, with relation to the cords threadedthrough the device; I

Figure 4 is. a bottom view of the base plate employed in theconstruction of the device;

Serial No. 708.580.

Figure is a view in side elevation of the supporting plate employed;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the ac tuating lever;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a channel clip employed as a guidemember, and,

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a housing or cap employed in theconstruction of the device.

Referring to the drawings more particularly. 10 indicates generally, abase plate which preferably is oi the shape shown. This base plate isformed with an inturned flange or lip 11 along each longitudinal edge.These flanges or lips are turned toward the bottom face of the plate, asshown to advantage in Figures 2, 3 and 4. One end of the base plate isprovided with a tang 12, and adjacent the last-named end of the platethere is provided a pair of elongated openings or slots 13. Also, theplate has its bottom surface provided with a protrusion 14 preferably ofthe shape shown. Openings 15, 16 and 17 are provided and arrangedcentrally and longitudinally of the plate 10. Also, a. pair of alignedopenings 18 are provided adjacent each longitudinal edge of the plateand near one end thereof. said openings being preferably of the shapeshown. It may be here mentioned that the different openings heretoforereferred to, to

gether with the protrusion 14:, may be made in one or more stampingoperations. This 18 also true with respect tothe flanges or lips 11 andthe tang 12.

The supporting plate is specifically shown in Figure 5 and generallydesignated by the reference character 19. This member may be stampedfrom sheet metal and comprises an elongated plate terminating at one endin the tapering portion 20 and terminating at its other end in aprojection 21 which is formed with a laterally extending tooth orprojection 22. The member 1 is shown in its upright position in Figure5, and as seen. the tooth 22 occurs on the lower edge of the projection21. The plate is further provided. with an opening 28 which ispreferably circular. Adjacent the portion 20 oi the plate there isformed a recess 24 which is substantially triangular in shape and ismade with a View of providing a curved edge portion and a seat or ledge27. tween the ledge 27 and seat 26 there occurs a curved raised edgeportion 28. The plate is also formed with two openings and 30, and uponthe lower edge of the plate there is formed two semicircular protrusions31 and As shown specifically in Figure 6. the actuatinglever generallydesignated by th reterence character 33 comprises a plat i which isstamped to provide a slightly enunlarged curved end portion 3% which ternates in an upwardly curved lip to what may be termed a heel. The lip 35is formed with a plate extension 36 which ma be referred to as a head.The plate eonstirtuting' the actuating lever is provided with acentrallyand longitudiinilly extending slot which tern'iinates at its one end atin an enlargement 38.

A pin 39 15 extended through the opening of plate 19 and this pin isarranged against removal from the pin. The plate 19 and also the platewhich constitutes the actuating; lever may be stamped from sheet metaland this is also true of the dogs There is further provided a guidemember 41, which is specifically shown in Figure 7 and constitutes whatmay be termed a ehannel clip, the bridge, portion of which is preterablydished as shown. Each side portion of the channel clip is provided witha tooth 42. Also, there is provided a cap or housing 43 which is of theconstruction shown in Figure 8. This housing' is also in the form of achannel member with the side portions thereof substantially triangularin shape. Each side portion has its free edge provided With a. pair ofteeth 44. Also. one end of the bridge portion of the cap is providedwith a slot 4-5.

In assembling the present device the plate member 19 may be first fixedupon the base plate 10. In positioning and fixing this plate its tooth22 should be extended through opening 15 of the base plate 10 and thetree endofthis tooth upset in order to secure the member 19 to the baseplate. Also, the protrusions 31 and 32 should be positioned so that theyextend into the openings 17 and 16, respectively. Previous to living theplate member 19 the actuating lever 33 should bepositionecl. Inpositioning the netuating lever the forward end or" the plate 19 shouldbe extended through the s ot of the lever 33 and the heel of this lever.together with the head-36. brought into the recess :24 as shown toadvantage in Figure :2.

It will be assumed that the rollers 42 and the dogs have previously beensecured to the supporting plate 1.9. The cap .13 may now be positionedand as shown in Figures 2 and 3. the bridge portion oi this cap shouldfit upon the upper edge ot the plate portion 20. Also, a portion of theupper edge of the plate 19 should extend into the slot 4-5 of the cap43. The teeth 44- ol the up all) should be extended into the opening 18of the base plate 10 and these teeth may now be upset to rigidly securethe cap to the base plate. The guide member 4-1 may now be placed inposition and in doing this its teeth l9. should be extended through theopenings 1 ot the base plate it) and said teeth upset in order torigidly secure this member to the base plate.

In the use of a cord or rope 'lor securely closing the open end ot amail bag: the cord is usually extended through a plurality ol eyeletslived in said bag about the open end thereof. The end portions of thecord should be threaded through the present device. in doing this theend portions of the cord are arranged as shown in Figures '1 and SE-that is, these cords are evtended through the cap i3. one upon eachside (it the supporting plate 19: then extended through the slotenlargement of the actuating lever 5-"). and then further extendedthrough the mode member ll. The. cords are shown in dotted lines inFigures 1., 2 and The :u'tuatizur lever 33 should have the positionillustrated in Figure 9 in order to permit tree slipping of the cordsthrough the device. and as seen in this figure. the heel 35 ot theactuating lever in engagement with the eurved ed aportion 26 ot therecess ill. 'lhe recess til should be suliieiently lai rge to permitroeliiufil' u'iovement ot the actuating member 33.

ll hen the cords have been arranged as desired, then the actuating.lever 3 -i depressed and brought into the position illustrated in Figurelt will be noted that the projection 91 serves as a stop to limidownward swinging movement, (it the lever Through this downwardswinging: movement of the lever 33 the heel It; will move over theraised edge portion QR ol' recess Q-l and eventually seat upon th ler't' 27. The. rollers 4-2. as is obvious. will l'zu'ilt tate thismoven'ieut of the lever l l. 'lhe head ot lever will swing; upward y andbind the cords about the dogs il The does 40 normally have the positionillustrated in Figure 2 and upon the head 36 of lever lilswingingupwardly the dogs will more to the position illustrated inFigure 3. The does as shown in Figure, 3 are sul'istantiallyverticalthat is. with respeet to the longitudinal axes thereof. and asis apparent by this, arrangement of the dogs the same more efiicientlycooperate with. the actuating lever for binding the cords. The cordsinreality fi l IOU

are bound tightly about the dogs 40 and are thus held against movement.

If desired, the hasp of a padlock may now be extended through theopening 23 of plate 19 and the padlock locked. The padlock preventslifting of the lever 33.

hen it is desired to release the cords held by the device, then thepadlock referred to should be removed and the actuating lever 83 can beswung to the position illustrated in Figure 2. With the lever in thisposition the cords may be easily drawn through the device.

lVhile l have shown and described the preferred form of my invention, Iwish it to be understood that i am aware of the fact that the costruction, combination and gen cral arrangement of parts might bechanged by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit ofmy invention indicated by the appending claims.

What I claim is:

1. A cord fastening device con'iprising an elongated supporting platealong the side of which cords may be arranged, a lever fulcrumed by thesupporting plate and means adapted to cooperate with the lever forbinding the cords when said lever assumes a predetermined position.

2. A cord fastening device comprising a supporting plate along the sidesof which cords may be arranged, a lever fulcrumed by said supportingplate, and means carried by the supporting plate adapted to cooperatewith the lever for binding the cords when said lever assumes apredetermined position.

3. A cord fastening device comprising a supporting plate, guide meanscarried by said supporting plate whereby cords may be held adjacent tothe sides of said supporting plate, a lever tulcrumed by the support ingplate and means adapted to cooperate with the lever for binding thecords when said lever assumes a predetermined position.

4c. A cord fastening device comprising a supporting plate along thesides of which cords may be arranged, a lever fulcrumed by saidsupporting plate, and. dogs carried upon the sides of the supportingplate adapted to cooperate with the lever for binding the cords whensaid. lever assumes a certain position.

5. A cord fastening device comprising a supporting member along thesides of which cords may be arranged, a lever fulcrumed by saidsupporting member, and dogs pivotally supported by said supportingmemher adapted to cooperate with the lever for binding the cords whensaid lever assumes a certain position.

6. A cord fastening device comprising an elongated supporting platealong the sides of which cords may be arranged, a lever ful manned bythe supporting plate, said lever having a head at its one end adapted totending move in a recess in said supporting plate nd lift the cords whenthe lever is swung in a proper direction, and means adapted to cooperatewith the head of the lever for binding the cords during the last namedsan'ie during the operative movement of said lever.

8; A cord :t'astemng device comprising a siiipporting member along whichcords may be arranged, a lever iulcrumed by the supporting member, itsone end being adapted to engage beneath the cords and raise the samewhen said lever is operated, and pivotally supported dogs carried by thesupporting n'iember about which the cords are bound during the operativemovement of" a said lei e1.

A cord fastening device comprising a si'ipporting member along whichcords may be arran ed, an actuating lever comprising a plate meml'ierwith a longitudinally exslot through which the supporting member isextended, said lever being formed at its one end with a heel'and a headeX- tending laterally from the heel, said head being adapted to engagebeneath the cords, means for supporting the heel to fulcrum the lever,and means whereby with the lever being rocked to swing said headupwardly the cords will be bound.

10. A cord fastening device comprising a supporting member along whichcords may be arranged, an actuating lever comprising a plate member witha longitudinally GX tending slot through which the supporting member isextended, said lever being formed.

at its one end with a heel and a head eX- icnding laterally "from theheel, said head being adapted to engage beneath the cords, means forsupporting the heel io fulcrum the lever, and dogs carried by saidsupporting member whereby with the lever being rocked to swing said headupwardly the cords will be bound about said dogs 11, A cord fasteningdevice comprising a supporting member along which cords may be arranged,an actuating lever comprising a plate member with a longitudinally eX-tending slot through which the supporting member is extended, said leverbeing formed at its one end with a heel and a head extending laterallyfrom the heel, said head being adapted to en age beneath the cords,means for supporting the heel to fulcrum the lever, dogs carried by saidsupporting member whereby with the lever being rocked to swing said headupwardly the cords will be bound about said dogs, and rollers tofacilitate the rocking movement of said lever.

12. A cord fastening device comprising a supporting member along whichcords may be arranged, a lever comprising a plate with 'a longitudinallyextending slot through which the supporting plate eX- tends, atransversely disposed heel formed atoneend of the lever, said heel beingdisposed in a recess in said plate and adapted to rest upon the edgeformed by said recess, a head carried by the heel and disposed beneaththe cords and dogs carried by the plate and disposed above the cordswhereby with. rocking movement of the lever for elevating its head thecords will be bound about said dog.

18. A cord fastening device comprising a supporting member along whichcords may be arranged, a lever comprising aplate with a longitudinallyextending slot through which the supporting plate extends, atransversely disposed heel formed at one end of the lever, said heelbeing disposed in a re eess iii said plate and adapted to rest upon theedge formed by said recess, a head carried by the heel anddisposed'beneath the cords, and dogs pivotally supported by the plateand disposed above said cords whereby with rocking movement of the leverupon its heel to swing its head upwardly the cords will be bound aboutthe dogs and said dogs moved to a transverse position with respect tothe cords for further cooperating with said lever for binding said cordsabout the dogs.

let. A device of the character described comprising a base plate, asupporting plate extending vertically and longitudinally of the baseplate, a lever fulcrumed by said supporting plate, said supporting platebeing adapted to permit cords to be arranged along the side thereof andsaid cords being disposed above the lever whereby with swinging movementof the lever the cords will be raised, and dogs carried by the plateadapted to cooperate with the lever for binding said cords during theperiod said cords are raised.

15. A device of the character described comprising a base plate, asupporting plate extending vertically and longitudinally oi the baseplate, lever iulcrumed by said supporting plate, said supporting platebeing adapted to permit cords to be arranged along the side thereof andsaid cords being disposed above the lever whereby with swinging movementof the lever the cords will be raised, dogs carried by the plate adaptedto cooperate with the lever for binding said cords during the periodsaid cords are raised, and means whereby a lock may be employed forsecuring the lever in position for binding said cords.

THORNTON L. RICHARDSON.

